{"id":277,"date":"2026-02-05T20:17:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T01:17:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.southseminoleanimalhospital.com\/blog\/?p=277"},"modified":"2026-02-05T20:17:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T01:17:37","slug":"how-to-protect-your-pets-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.southseminoleanimalhospital.com\/blog\/how-to-protect-your-pets-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Protect Your Pet\u2019s Heart\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It\u2019s Valentine\u2019s Day Month\u2014an excellent time to learn more about your furry valentines and their heart health. Just like humans, dogs and cats can develop heart conditions that negatively affect their health, comfort, and longevity. The good news is that with early intervention, many pet heart health issues can be managed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what the team at South Seminole Animal Hospital<\/a> wants you to know about pet health awareness this February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Heart Disease in Dogs and Cats: A Breakdown <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dogs and Heart Disease <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For dogs, the most common acquired heart disease<\/a> is degenerative mitral valve disease, or DMVD. Merck Veterinary Manual estimates<\/a> that this condition comprises 75% of all cardiovascular disease in dogs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In DMVD, the mitral valve gets thick and floppy over time, which means it can\u2019t close as it should. This causes blood to leak backward every time the heart contracts. This backward flow makes your pet\u2019s heart work harder, and leads to an enlargement of the heart\u2019s chambers. Left untreated, it can ultimately result in congestive heart failure.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Age is one of the biggest risk factors for DMVD. The older dogs get, the higher their chance of suffering from valve degeneration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small-breed dogs\u2014like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Dachshunds, and Poodles\u2014tend to develop this disease more frequently than their larger counterparts, but dogs of any size or breed can get it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another significant heart disease in dogs is dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM. Unlike DMVD, which affects the valves of the heart, DCM is a disease of the actual heart muscle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walls of the heart become thin, weak, and stretched out, which makes it hard for it to contract effectively. Over time, this can put your pooch at risk of heart failure or arrhythmias. DCM is more common in large breeds, like Boxers, Great Danes, and Doberman Pinschers. But it can occur in any dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cats and Heart Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In cats, the most common acquired heart disease<\/a> is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM. This condition causes the walls of the heart to get thick and stiff, which makes it challenging for the heart to fill and pump like it should. Unfortunately, many cats show no outward signs of this disease until it is in an advanced stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

HCM can affect cats of any age and breed, but it\u2019s most frequently diagnosed in adult and senior cats. Some species, including Main Coons, Ragdolls, British Shorthairs, and Sphynx, are more susceptible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

HCM can lead to congestive heart failure or dangerous blood clots that can impair blood flow to your cat\u2019s hind limbs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Spot and Treat Heart Disease in Dogs and Cats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even though they\u2019re different species, dogs and cats share many of the same symptoms of heart disease. These can include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n